This summer, as employees and employers across all sectors join in the excitement of the Olympics and other major sporting events, we want to share some helpful tips and guidelines on managing the demands of work with the requests for watching sporting events during working hours.

Watching Sporting Events During Working Hours

Legally, of course employees are expected to be at their workplace and performing their duties during their paid hours, however in the spirit of exciting international sporting events, employers often can be challenged with how to balance the work load and time away to view the events.

There are many different approaches to take to this, and here are a few that hopefully will be helpful for you as you decide what will work best for your company, whether it is a manufacturing, retail, hospitality, office based or remote workplace.

• Employers might organise collective viewing sessions by setting up screens in common areas and facilitating groups of employees to take short breaks at the arranged times.
• Companies with flexible hours might allow employees to start later or finish earlier, while also completing their require duties.
• Employers might accommodate employees take short breaks to watch key moments, and make the time up later. This can boost morale and productivity by showing that employees’ interests are valued.
• For companies with fixed schedules, flexibility might be harder. However, discussing options like taking leave or making up hours later can help. Employers should encourage open communication to find agreeable solutions for all categories of employees.
• Responsible behaviour during these events will be important, and of course it’s a good reminder of your EDI principles, and Equality and Diversity policies, to be respectful to other nations and teams, and come together in a spirit of celebration.
• It’s also important to remind employees of your internal catering and refreshments policy so that there is clarity around the consumption of food or drinks while at work and while in the workplace.
• A reminder of your values and workplace culture is always important, especially at occasions where there can be heightened emotions.
• Acknowledging the likelihood that employees might call in sick to watch events will hopefully discourage this behaviour.
• The coming together at events like this can be a real morale boost and bonding experience for staff and management.

Policy Guidelines

Agree in advance what the company’s policy is when facilitating employees to watch specific events. Establish clear guidelines for your business and your type of work to ensure everyone understands and are equally accommodated.

Consider communicating the following aspects in particular:

• acceptable behavior
• attendance and time keeping
• holiday booking and general absences
• workplace conduct
• alcohol consumption
• promotional material and banners
• Health and safety guidelines
• EDI principles and values

The key to the effectiveness of such policies is to ensure that these are communicated to staff in a timely manner so that everyone is clear about the company policies and the expectation of personal behaviour.

Ensure fairness and consistency:

• Do not grant flexible working to one person or team if it is not available to everyone.
• If offering time off, consider allocating a set number of hours over the summer to those not interested in sports events.
• Make it clear that failing to make up the specific time taken off could be viewed as misuse of company time.
• Encourage employees to use their break times, flexible hours, or annual leave to watch major events, promoting honesty and transparency.

Of course, like all company policies and practices, breaches will be dealt with through the company formal and informal disciplinary, grievance or bullying and harassment policies – ensuring your Dignity in the Workplace is protected at all times.

It is worthwhile reminding employees of these policies, their importance and the position the company takes on any conduct that falls short of acceptable behaviour while at work or at a work related event.

Managing the excitement of major sports events while maintaining productivity requires clear communication and mutual understanding between employers and employees. With the right policies and approach, everyone can enjoy the events without compromising their professional responsibilities.

We have developed a Major Sporting Events Policy that you can download here.

Team Ireland

The Voltedge Management Team send our very best wishes to all the Olympics and Paralympics Team Ireland participants! Inspiration, resilience, determination, talent, skill, hard-work, you em

body all of that and more. You inspire the nation and we are cheering you on for personal success and most of all, that you will enjoy this historic moment for you and your families.

To be back in Paris, 100 years later for the Olympics, is very special and for Ireland to be represented by 133 athletes across 15 sports is certainly historic! Best of luck to you all – GO TEAM IRELAND 🇮🇪

For assistance in creating a policy tailored to your organisation’s needs, contact Voltedge Management at info@voltedge.ie or 01 525 2914 today.

Voltedge Management